Luke 5:30-32

5:30 But 1  the Pharisees 2  and their experts in the law 3  complained 4  to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 5  5:31 Jesus 6  answered them, “Those who are well don’t need a physician, but those who are sick do. 7  5:32 I have not come 8  to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” 9 

1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the implied contrast present in this context.

2 sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.

3 tn Or “and their scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.

4 tn Or “grumbled”; a term often used in the OT for inappropriate grumbling: Exod 15:24; 16:7-8; Num 14:2, 26-35; 16:11.

5 sn The issue here is inappropriate associations (eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners) and the accusation comes not against Jesus, but his disciples.

6 tn Grk “And Jesus.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

7 sn Jesus’ point is that he associates with those who are sick because they have the need and will respond to the offer of help. A person who is well (or who thinks mistakenly that he is) will not seek treatment.

8 sn I have not come is another commission statement by Jesus; see 4:43-44.

9 sn Though parallels exist to this saying (Matt 9:13; Mark 2:17), only Luke has this last phrase but sinners to repentance. Repentance is a frequent topic in Luke’s Gospel: 3:3, 8; 13:1-5; 15:7, 10; 16:30; 17:3-4; 24:47.